Kang Sogun

A misty rain flowed between the two.

Only after a time as long as the past years had passed did Jang Yeongyeong open her mouth.

"You were alive."

'You were alive.'

Kang Sogun realized that the fact that one person was alive could be so surprising.

When countless lives had been brutally killed in the Martial Tomb, there was no difference between the living and the dead.

But today, just by the fact that one person was alive, Kang Sogun felt as if the world had changed.

'She was alive.'

Jang Yeongyeong was covering her face with a veil. But he could tell what her face looked like beyond it without even seeing it.

Just a moment ago, when he had tried to recall Jang Yeongyeong while looking at the lake, he could not remember her face.

Kang Sogun's mind was only full of the faces of countless deaths, screaming in pain.

The happiest times. It was a cruel thing that he could not remember the faces of those people.

Even if he tried to remember the faces of those times, only the faces of those who had died, bleeding like demons, would come to him.

But.

As one person approached, the old faces came to mind.

His father and mother, and Jang Seonbaek.

Kang Sogun slowly reached out his hand and tried to lift the veil.

Jang Yeongyeong's hand stopped it.

'Why?'

Kang Sogun asked with his eyes.

Jang Yeongyeong lowered her eyes and avoided Kang Sogun's gaze.

At that moment, Kang Sogun realized.

This person in front of him was not the person from that time!

Kang Sogun lowered his hand.

Before he knew it, the rain had become heavier.

The raindrops that had formed on Jang Yeongyeong's rain gear dripped down.

Kang Sogun, who had been watching that scene for a long time, suddenly asked.

"What about Seonbaek?"

As Kang Sogun asked, Jang Yeongyeong raised her head.

Her eyes were asking.

Where is my family?

Kang Sogun looked at the sky that was pouring rain.

Although he was the only friend with whom he had opened his heart, he did not know where he was, whether he was dead or alive.

Only then did the regret for the past three years of wandering rush in. A sense of self-reproach that he had been possessed by a delusion and had wandered meaninglessly rushed in.

Jang Yeongyeong suddenly raised her head and said.

"It's enough that you're alive."

She did not even take off her veil.

Jang Yeongyeong had said her farewell.

Until now, he had thought it was a parting by death. So he had been possessed by regret and had been blaming himself.

To say farewell while alive.

Kang Sogun could not understand this situation.

"That's not right."

Kang Sogun shook his head.

The engagement was not broken.

"No, it's a thing of the past. The moment the previous emperor sentenced my family to the crime of high treason. The bond between us also ended."

Jang Yeongyeong said.

And then she left.

Kang Sogun stood there blankly and was drenched in the rain all day.

That's right.

The crime of high treason was just a hollow word.

In fact, one family had annihilated another. The engagement between the two had been broken at that time.

His friendship with Jang Seonbaek had also ended.

No, now it should be said that the two families had become enemies.

Aiming their swords.

***

The Heaven-Soaring Divine Sword, Shangguan Wuying

The Life-Taking Demonic Palm, Chu Go

The Illusionist

The Phoenix Hand

The Thousand Hands No Trace, Gu Yeongang

The Heavenly Demon Saber, Wu Mungeuk

The Heaven's Center One Sword, Baek Jeongmu

The Sun-Shooting Divine Spear, Gyeom Ilgeuk

The One Fist Three Kicks, Bong Muryang

The Azure Sky Martial Dragon, Namgung Ak

The Ten Great Masters.

At some point, the term "Ten Great Masters" began to circulate. It was something that had not existed before.

It meant the ten strongest masters in the world. It was said that each of them had reached the peak of martial arts, but how could this be confirmed?

The Yocheon Pavilion Master, Pung Gachae, had died, and the Phoenix Hand had entered that spot. It was a nickname that was not known in the martial world. Yet, his ranking was higher than the Four Great Powers of the world.

"Someone is intentionally selecting the Ten Great Masters and ranking them. There must be a hidden meaning."

Although the scholars of the martial world raised questions, at some point, the term "Ten Great Masters" was accepted as a matter of course.

It was said that each of the Ten Great Masters could handle ten thousand people. They were masters to whom the saying that numbers don't matter did not apply.

Even so, on what basis were they selected and ranked?

There was a saying that the natural enemy of a great master was another great master. But it had never been confirmed.

Since they had never fought each other, some said that even the ranking was meaningless.

But for the first time, the ten great masters had clashed.

And it was the leaders of the Great Righteous Martial Hall and the Dragon Slaying Society, who were called the Four Great Powers of the world, no, now the Three Great Powers of the world, who had fought.

The sixth-ranked Wu Mungeuk and the seventh-ranked Baek Jeongmu.

The result of the two fighting all day was mutual destruction.

The surprising news spread quickly.

At the same time, opinions on what would happen if the ten great masters fought were rampant.

And it flowed into an atmosphere as if they were hoping that there would be a fight between the ten great masters.

***

A thatched hut at the foot of a low mountain.

The Fire Dragon Saber, Jo Unryong, shed tears.

"Master! What on earth happened?"

His master, who could cut a mountain, was lying on a bed and could not even get up.

"Be quiet! You bastard. If someone hears, they'll think I'm dead."

Although Wu Mungeuk's voice scolding his disciple was faint, Jo Unryong was even more devastated.

"That bastard Baek Jeongmu won't be fine either. It's a pity I couldn't cut off his head at the end."

As Wu Mungeuk spoke, he coughed. It was clear that he had suffered an internal injury.

Jo Unryong's eyes flashed.

"The Heaven's Center One Sword! I will cut off that bastard's head."

A tremendous anger was contained in his voice.

"Be quiet. It was a fair duel between martial artists. If I show a grudge, what will become of me? Are you trying to bring shame to this master?"

Wu Mungeuk became serious and scolded him.

And he struggled to get up from his seat. His complexion was pale.

"The reason I have called you here today is for the future of the Fire Dragon Sect."

At Wu Mungeuk's words, Yeom Gichang, Seok Byeongdo, and Jo Unryong knelt side by side. A sense of emotion appeared in Wu Mungeuk's eyes as he looked at his three disciples.

"In the old days, the Fire Dragon Sect took the lead in helping Zhu Yuanzhang and defeating the Yuan. Although many disciples died or were injured, the Fire Dragon Sect did not ask for anything."

Wu Mungeuk's voice was solemn.

"It was an act done according to the will of the founder of this sect, that those who walk the path of martial arts should benefit all the people of the world. Nevertheless, after establishing the country, Zhu Yuanzhang killed countless martial artists."

Although Zhu Yuanzhang had received considerable help from the martial world, after the founding of the country, he had secretly and openly killed and annihilated many martial artists and sects.

"These facts are not well known to the public. The Fire Dragon Sect was the first to suffer a disaster. My master and the disciples were harmed in one night, and we were on the verge of annihilation."

The faces of Jo Unryong and the others, who were listening to the secret history of their sect, were solemn.

"Now, the succession of the Fire Dragon Sect must be continued by you three. I am now going to leave the martial world."

"Master!"

Jo Unryong and the other disciples prostrated themselves and shouted at the same time.

"What do you mean by that? Your injuries will soon be healed. Besides, what about the Dragon Slaying Society?"

When the Fire Dragon Sect was on the verge of annihilation, Wu Mungeuk, who had been the only one to survive, had gritted his teeth and had established the Dragon Slaying Society.

The Dragon Slaying Society, which meant to slay the dragon, was a gathering of the descendants of the martial artists who had been annihilated or had been killed by the court.

"I have you, don't I?"

Wu Mungeuk had fought with the Heaven's Center One Sword, Baek Jeongmu, and had not been able to decide the victory or defeat. But as he had fought with all his strength for the first time, he had felt something.

"When the Fire Dragon Sect was annihilated, I lost a part of the sect's saber art. In the meantime, I have made great efforts to restore it, but in this fight, I keenly felt that it was still lacking."

Wu Mungeuk's expression was grave.

"I will leave the martial world and will devote myself to recovering my injuries and to restoring the lost saber art of this sect. That is my last remaining mission."

"Can't you do that with us?"

Wu Mungeuk shook his head.

"The origin of our Fire Dragon Sect is from Kunlun. I will go to Kunlun, examine the saber art, and restore the lost saber art of the Fire Dragon Sect."

Jo Unryong and the others knew that they could not break their master's will.

Wu Mungeuk let out a deep sigh.

"My injuries are not simple. Although it is called mutual destruction, in fact, I lost."

"What do you mean? Baek Jeongmu's sword was also broken, and he suffered an internal injury."

Wu Mungeuk shook his head.

"One move! It was a difference of one move. At that time, Baek Jeongmu could have cut off my arm. Nevertheless, he did not use that move. I also do not know the reason."

The expressions of the disciples, who were listening to the secret story of the decisive battle between the ten great masters, were solemn.

It was not an easy thing for a martial artist to admit that he had lost. It was even more difficult to reveal the fact in front of his disciples.

But Wu Mungeuk was a hero.

"It seems it will take two or three years to recover from my internal injuries. But if I rest for a few days, there will be no great difficulty in moving, so I can slowly recover from my injuries."

"Then I will escort you, Master, to Kunlun."

Jo Unryong stepped forward.

"No. You are a bastard who just runs wild and has no meticulous side."

Wu Mungeuk had already arranged things in his mind.

"The Dragon Slaying Society is a gathering of various sects. They revered my martial arts and appointed me as the society master, but since things have become like this, a new society master will have to be chosen. Until then, Gichang, you will temporarily act as the society master. The first thing you have to do is to elect a new society master."

"I will keep that in mind."

Yeom Gichang bowed his head.

"Everyone knows that among you three, the youngest, Unryong's, achievement is the highest. I am thinking of entrusting the position of the sect master of the Fire Dragon Sect to Unryong."

Yeom Gichang and Seok Byeongdo looked at Jo Unryong. It was something they had foreseen since Wu Mungeuk had handed over the Fire Dragon Saber to Jo Unryong.

"No. A sect is not about martial arts, but about hierarchy and order. The great senior brother should take the position."

Jo Unryong bowed his head and declined.

In fact, Jo Unryong had gone on a journey through the martial world with the thought that his master would entrust the Fire Dragon Sect to him.

He had thought that it was impossible for him to become the sect master, bypassing his senior brothers.

Just then, Yeom Gichang stepped forward and scolded Jo Unryong.

"Will you defy your master's words?"

Wu Mungeuk lamented.

"Originally, it should be so. But isn't the lineage of the Fire Dragon Sect in danger? It is my thought that the one who can properly unfold the Fire Dragon Saber Art should succeed the position of the sect master."

Wu Mungeuk looked around at his disciples and said.

"Byeongdo, let's go to Kunlun together. Since the world is in turmoil, the road will not be easy."

"I understand."

Seok Byeongdo obediently bowed his head.

***

Kang Sogun, who had returned from his outing, did not leave his room for several days.

"What is it this time? Is he really mad?"

Mo Sang muttered and hurried to Kang Sogun's residence. Kang Sogun was completely unpredictable.

Mo Sang reached Kang Sogun's residence and sighed.

"The crown prince has come to Nanjing... I have to go and see him, but why am I doing this?"

The crown prince had entered Nanjing and had held a morning court with the high and low officials of the six ministries of Nanjing.

Mo Sang was anxious that there might have been words slandering the Kang Residence in that place.

Although he had conveyed the crown prince's entry through a maid, Kang Sogun was still in seclusion.

Unable to bear it any longer, Mo Sang came to find him himself, but a maid stopped him.

"He said not to let anyone in."

"I am the chief steward."

"He said... no one... so you can't."

The maid, who was in a difficult position, trailed off.

"Move aside."

As Mo Sang pushed aside the maid who was blocking him and was about to enter, the door burst open.

Kang Sogun came out. He looked fine.

"What are you doing?"

Mo Sang's words were full of dissatisfaction.

"What is the matter, Chief Steward?"

"The Kang Residence is now in a crisis like a candle in the wind."

"A candle in the wind?"

"His Highness the Crown Prince is presiding over the morning court of the Nanjing government office. The Bang and Ho families are holding banquets every evening as if competing."

"So?"

"Are you really going to pretend not to know? Do you know what the powerful families of Nanjing are saying about the Kang Residence?"

"What are they saying?"

"They are saying that you are ignoring the emperor and are manipulating the law of the land. If those bastards were to advise the crown prince in a group..."

"That's strange. I'm sure I warned them clearly that if there were any bastards who talked about the Kang Residence this and that, I would not leave them alone."

'Oh dear. He must be really mad. How did the once so intelligent Young Master Kang become like this?'

Mo Sang's face contorted.

If Kang Sogun's stern warning had worked, they would not have become the powerful families of Nanjing in the first place.

The powerful families of Nanjing were all local magnates who had seized a region in the provinces. Even the successive emperors could not ignore their opinions.

"Hahaha. I was just saying. Don't worry too much."

(End of Chapter)